File 116 - Letters from Cathy Hoekstra

0.1 cm of textual records

File consists of photocopies of ten letters to Hoekstra from Nouwen. These letters were written while Nouwen was at L'Arche Daybreak. Letter contents consist of the following:

1. July 18, 1995. Typed and 1 page. Letter was written from L'Arche Daybreak (on Daybreak letterhead). Nouwen thanks Hoekstra for her letter. He tells her the celebration in June was wonderful, and Jean Vanier visited the community, and they put on the play "One Heart at a Time" for the North American L'Arche directors and representatives. He concludes by saying he is looking forward to his sabbatical and hopes it can be a good time "in which I can write some of the things that I want to write." Letter is signed.
2. November 7, 1994. Typed and 1 page. Letter was written from L'Arche Daybreak (on Daybreak letterhead). Nouwen thanks Hoekstra for her letter and generous donation. He says it was good to have her at L'Arche again, and hopes she will be able to return soon and stay longer. He feels that she is a part of their life [at L'Arche], and her love is "encouraging and supportive." He concludes by thanking her for her friendship. Letter is signed.
3. March 3, 1994. Typed and 1 page. Letter was written from L'Arche Daybreak (on Daybreak letterhead). Nouwen thanks Hoekstra for her letter and says he was sorry to hear that she had been depressed, but is happy to know that she has placed her trust in a loving and forgiving God. He says, "I know from my own experience, how hard it is to hold on to that in moments of sadness and darkness." He concludes by saying that his life has recently been full of travelling, and will be very busy in the coming months visiting L'Arche communities and fundraising for the Dayspring. Letter is signed.
4. April 5, 1993. Typed and 1 page. Letter was written from L'Arche Daybreak (on Daybreak letterhead). Nouwen thanks Hoekstra for her letter and her contribution to the Dayspring. He tells her he had to decline Dan Pierson's invitation, as he is overwhelmed with requests, and must refuse more and more. He concludes by saying his trip to Europe was enjoyable, and he wrote a short book about death and dying. Letter is signed.
5. December 23, 1992. Typed and 1 page. Letter was written from L'Arche Daybreak (on Daybreak letterhead). Nouwen thanks Hoekstra for her Dutch Christmas gifts, as they brought back good memories of his Dutch Christmases. He concludes by saying that he will soon leave for Europe for two months. He hopes to find time and energy to write new things, and hopes that Hoekstra has a good Christmas season. He sends greetings from Elizabeth and Sue. Letter is signed.
6. November 27, 1992. Typed and 1 page. Letter was written from L'Arche Daybreak (on Daybreak letterhead). Nouwen thanks Hoekstra for her contribution to the Dayspring fund. He tells her he just returned from San Francisco and attended a conference on art and religion. He concludes by promising to tell her about it one day, and wishes her a joyous Advent season. Letter is signed.
7. November 11, 1992. Typed and 1 page. Letter was written from L'Arche Daybreak (on Daybreak letterhead). Nouwen thanks Hoekstra for sending him "Good Friday." He says he was unfamiliar with the text, and is glad to have it. He likes having the Dutch text so he can compare the translation and the original. He concludes by saying "the book certainly brings me much closer to Rembrandt's history." Letter is signed.
8. July 24, 1992. Typed and 1 page. Letter was written from L'Arche Daybreak (on Daybreak letterhead). Nouwen thanks Hoekstra for her letter and the Dutch goodies she sent. He says everyone at the Dayspring has enjoyed the treats, and he is sending the licorice to his trapeze friends. He tells her that he is recovering from a week in the hospital because of a dangerous infection. He says he is gradually getting his strength back, and his community has warned him not to accept new speaking engagements because they are concerned for his health. He concludes by thanking her for her visit, and saying she and Madeline are fondly remembered. Letter is signed.
9. March 5, 1992. Typed and 1 page. Letter was written from L'Arche Daybreak (on Daybreak letterhead). Nouwen thanks Hoekstra for her letter and says he will pray for her as she leaves her nursing job and enters full-time work in Church ministry. He says he is glad she is doing independent study of Jean Vanier's writing, and says it will help her "deepen your own spiritual journey and become more aware of where God is calling you." He concludes by saying he just returned from a trip to France and England and is now living in the community for Lent. Letter is signed.
10. December 2, 1991. Typed and 1 page. Letter was written from L'Arche Daybreak (on Daybreak letterhead). Nouwen thanks Hoekstra for her letter and says he just returned from Europe. He is glad she was touched during her visit to L'Arche. He concludes by hoping that she will have the strength to face her mother's situation, and to give her mother to God. He says "don't give in to your feelings of inadequacy, but keep thinking of yourself as the truly beloved daughter of God." Letter is signed.

Title based on contents of the file.
See Henri Nouwen fonds - Calendar files - Visit of Cathy Hoekstra - June 4-6, 1991, box 111, file 1014 for calendar file related to Hoekstra's visit.

Added by T Wong, 1 September 2021